Our body is exposed to various harmful influences at every moment of its life. The air we breathe as well as everything we eat and drink is teeming with organisms that can lead to disease. Any injury can be a gateway to infection. Today, it is believed that a strong and functionally preserved immune system with nervous and endocrine systems ensures the functioning of the entire human body.
Our body is mechanically protected by the skin, the visible mucosa and the mucosa of the internal organs that make up the respiratory, digestive and urogenital systems. When the shell is preserved, it protects primarily as a mechanical barrier, but also contains antibodies, macrophages and other substances that help fight bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Experts have agreed that as much as 80% of all pathogens that attack the body pass through the mucous membranes of internal organs. The gastrointestinal tract has the largest area and there is a constant fight against pathogens. When the immune system weakens, diseases occur.
What is immunity? Immunity is defined as the body's ability to defend itself against foreign or harmful substances. It is divided into: non-specific (innate) and specific (acquired) immunity.
Specific immunity is acquired:
- passive (birth and transmission of antibodies from mother to child, and artificially from other sources)
- active (natural contact with foreign microorganisms-overcoming disease, ie immunization)
The immune system is a complex of several organs and tissues whose basic function is to protect the organism and they are distributed throughout the body. The organs responsible for the production and activation of immune system cells are bone marrow, thymus and other lymphatic tissues, but also a number of nutritional and essential elements such as vitamins, minerals or phytonutrients.
Such substances, which by their mechanism of action stimulate immunity and thus increase the body's resistance and its effectiveness in defending against foreign and harmful influences, are called immunomodulators.
If they have a positive effect on the immune system, they are immunostimulants, and if they have a suppressive effect, they are immunosuppressants. Depending on the target of action, some immunomodulators act in two ways. They interrupt activity when "attackers" are destroyed, thus preventing the development of autoimmune diseases.
Among the most well-known immunostimulants are vitamins C and A, minerals zinc and selenium, coenzyme Q10 and beta-1,3 D glucan
HOW DOES BETA-1,3 D GLUCAN WORK?
Beta-1,3 D glucan works in two different ways:
- Stimulates the formation of bone marrow, and thus the production of leukocytes and platelets, which are the first line of defense of the organism
- Activates macrophages-cells that form the energy center of immune activity and thus causes a whole range of defense reactions in the body.
Activation of the immune system begins with macrophage cells, granulocytes, neutrophils and NK cells (Natural Killers), which are the most important part of the body's defenses against viral, bacterial and fungal attacks.
Macrophages have the ability to recognize, devour and destroy all pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and dead, mutated or tumor cells).
When beta-1,3 D glucan binds to the macrophage receptor, the macrophage cell is activated and becomes up to 7 times more effective in identifying and destroying pathogens.
Beta-1,3 D glucan has the ability to increase immune activity by 50 to 120% within the first 72-96 hours after oral administration.
Once macrophage cells are activated, they have the ability to mobilize an entire "army" of defenses.The production of a number of auxiliary substances in the process of the body's immune response begins
- Anti-inflammatory cytokines are produced - proteins that help destroy cancer cells, interferon, etc.
- Macrophages activate fibroblasts, which promotes faster wound healing.
- Beta-1,3 D glucan stimulates the production of bone marrow stem cells and accelerated production of leukocytes, platelets and erythrocytes, so it is also indicated in blood diseases.
- Research has shown that it helps reduce blood sugar that rises after a meal by forming a viscous solution in the digestive system, thus slowing down the absorption of glucose after a meal and helping to maintain a good glucose-insulin ratio. in the blood.
- It is one of the important factors in lowering blood cholesterol.
- People with lupus and arthritis are witnessing a reduction in pain, a general improvement in health and an increase in energy after taking beta-1,3 D glucan.
- Numerous health studies have shown the effectiveness of high doses of beta-1,3 D glucan as an additional natural aid in the prevention and treatment of malignant diseases.
- Reduces harmful radiation and chemotherapy
- Stimulates detoxification of the body - helps the body to neutralize and eliminate toxins (asbestos and carbon particles, pesticides, preservatives…)
- Beta-1,3 D glucan increases the effectiveness of treatment with antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and parasites, and shortens the duration of the disease.
WHAT IS BETA-1,3 D GLUCANE?
Beta-glucan is a homopolymer of glucose found in yeast, fungi, barley, oats and bacteria. It is a multi-chain polysaccharide (fiber) consisting of glucose molecules, chain-linked by various chemical bonds. Immunostimulatory activity has only been demonstrated in glucan molecules in which glucose molecules are bound by beta-1,3 and 1,6-bonds.WHERE IS BETA-GLUCANE?
The most readily available source of beta-1,3 D glucan is the yeast cell wall-Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In addition to yeast, beta-glucan is isolated from oats (contains 37-40 g / kg beta-glucan) and barley (contains about 33 g / kg beta-glucan) and specific types of fungi.
Mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, but their medicinal properties and health effects are only now being discovered by modern science.
Enriching conventional food with various additives has become a real trend. Thus, in some European countries, bread is enriched with beta-glucan (about 0.75 g of beta-glucan per serving, which is approximately 160 g or 4 slices of bread). This amounts to approximately 25% of the 3 g recommended daily intake. Juices are also enriched.
NOTE!
Not recommended for people on anticoagulant therapy, organ transplant patients and immunosuppressive patients. Pregnant and breastfeeding women can take preparations with beta-1,3 D glucan only on the advice of a doctor. It is also not recommended for children under 3 years of age.
If you want to maintain and improve your health and keep your immunity strong, include oatmeal and barley porridge in your daily diet or increase your beta glucan intake through supplementation .
Source: ljekarna-cakovec.hr